Coin-controlled radioreceiver



Nov. 22 1927;

R. SAUSE COIN CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVER 4 sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1925 I, NVENTQ Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,238

R. sAusE COIN CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gig I I H;

$ 1 1 s QHLW.

ATTOHRNEY Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,238

R. SAUSE COIN CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVER Filed May 2, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR flab 19 90 9005 QQ BY mm "TA ToiiNEY Nov. 22, 1927.,

R. SAUSE com CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVER Filed May 2, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet Luumlln l" INVENTOR $6 944,717 1 44/62 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

UNITED STA RICHARD SAUSE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COIN-CONTROLLED BADIOREGEIVER.

Application filed Kay 2,

This invent-ion relates to improvements in coin-controlled radio receivers.

One of the objects of this invention is to enable a user, by the insertion in a slot of a coin" of predetermined size and value, to cause a connection with radio apparatus to be made which will enable reception of radio programs to be received through conventional head-phones.

Another object'of this invention is to produce a coin-controlled radio-receiver which will enable radio programs to be received for a predeterminedtime-interval or time cycle of definite length and then to be automatically discontinued unless restarted by the insertion of another coin.

Another object of this invention is to provide in combination with a time-measuring mechanism, 1 manually-operable electromagnetic means for controlling the movement of the coin first to cause connection of the radio apparatus for reception at the start of a time-interval, second maintaining said coin in connecting position during a measured time-interval, and then automatically disconnecting the receiving means and discontinuing reception at the end of said timeinterval. I

Another object of this invention is to utilize, in combination with a radio circuit and circuit-controlling means operable to close by a coin and to open automatically, a time-measuring element for measuring a predetermined time-interval, electro-magnetic means operable at the start of said time-interval for releasing a coin to operate said circuit-controlling means to close said radio circuit and procure radio reception, and additional electro-magnetic means operable at the end of said measured time-interval for releasing said coin to permit said circuit-controlling means to open the circuit and to discontinue reception.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character specified, a time-measuring element, a coin chute and means for retaining the coin in accessible position within said chute combined with electro-magnetic means operable at the start of a measured time-interval to release said retaining means to cause the coin to drop through the chute and to actuate a circuitcontrolling means to permit reception through. the radio circuit and additional electro-magn etic means operable at the end 1925. Serial No. 27,397.

of said time-interval to release said coin and cause an opening of said circuit by said circuit-controlling mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch for controlling the operation of said electro-magnetic starting means to enable the same to be rendered inoperative during periods when there is no broadcasting and thus retaining the coin in position acces-' sible to the user.

Another object of this invention is to prevent tampering with such clock-mechanism and thus to prevent the starting of reception without the insertion of a coin or the prolonging of the time-interval thereof.

Another object of this invention isv to utilize in combination with a clock-mechanism having manually-operable shaft and knob adapted to move a time-measuring element and means for coupling the knob to the shaft to enable movement in one direction of said time-measuring element from any position in which it may be carried by the clock-mechanism to starting 'position, but to free said clock-mechanism from control of said operating knob in case of a reversing movement or holding of said knob and thus to prevent tampering therewith.

Another object of this invention is to give a signal and preferably a visible signal simultaneously with the closing of the radio circuit at the beginning of time interval and thereafter to give another similar signal near the termination of said time interval and before discontinuanceof reception.

With these and other objects in view, the invention comprises the combination of members and arrangement of parts so combined as to co-act and cooperate with each other in the performance of the functions and the accomplishment of the results herein contemplated, and comprises in one of its adaptations the species or preferred form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the end portion of a'radio cabinet showing my coin-actuating and timing devices applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3 is a similar section on the line 33 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 1-4 of Fig. 3 showing in rear elevation, the clock-mechanism and other parts of the coin-controlled mechanism; Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig.5 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 looking in the direction ofthe arrow; Fig. 10 is a detailed section through a fragment of the panel showing a controlling knob and clock-mechanism shaft with the devices mounted thereon; 11 is a section on the line 1111 of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10; and Fig. 13 is a dia grammatic view of the radio hook-up and the circuits for the electromagnetic devices employed by me.

Referring now to these drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, 10 indicates a radio cabinet of conventional design having a front side or wall 10 comprising an ordinary radio panel on which may be mounted suitable radio receiving apparatus hooked-up in any suitable manner such as illustrated in Fig. 13. In the hook-up shown in said Fig. 13, 11 indicates the antenna, 12 the lead-in wire, 13 the ground-lead, 14 a rotor, 15 a condenser, 16 a tube detector, 17 a gridleak, 18 a rheostat, 19 an A-battery, 20, a B-battery, 21 head-phones, and 22 and 23 designate lines or wires connected to separated or spaced terminals 24 and 25 respectively. The hookup or circuit is thus normally open at these itierminals 24 and 25 so that no current will It will be obvious that if a switch or other connecting device be thrown across the ter minals 24 and 25, current will flow through the circuit or hook-up illustrated and radio reception may then be obtained through the ear-phones 21, and, furthermore, that so soon as the switch or other connection is disconnected from the terminals 24 and 25, current will cease to flow and reception through the ear phones will at once be discontinued.

In accordance with my invention, I provide circuit-controlling means operable to close the circuit by the weight of a coin superposed thereon and to open automatica 1y, preferablyby a counter-weight upon the withdrawal or release of said coin. Said circuit-controlling means is preferably operated to close at the start of a measured time-interval or cycle and to be opened at the end of said measured time-interval, and for this purpose I preferably provide a clock mechanism having a movable timemeasuring element and electro-magnetic devices first to drop a coin through a chute to cause the same to contact with and close said circuit-controlling means at the start newest of said time-interval, second to retain said coin in contact with said circuit closing means during said time interval, and third, to release said coin from contact with said circuit-controlling means at the end of said time-interval to permit said circuit-controlling means to open the circuit automatically.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings,-my radio-circuit-controlling means comprises a switch element 26 which, in the form shown, is a weight pivoted on one arm 27 of a bell-crank 28, the other arm 29 of which bell-crank is adapted to contact with a coin 30, the weight of which coin lowers said arm 29 and raises the arm 27 with said switching element into contact with the terminals 24 and 25, the weight of the switching element 26 being in the em bodiment shown less than the weightof the coin 30 and said element preferably being pivoted contiguous to the middle of its upperedge portion on the pin 31 which is mounted in the toe 32 of the bell-crank arm 27, the arrangement being such as to cause the switch element 26 to maintain a substantially horizontal position during the arcuate travel of the end of the arm 27 and thus to insure a good contact being made with the terminals 24 and 25.

In said preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated, the coin 30 is inserted through a coin slot 33 in a coin chute 34 mounted on the panel and extending, as illustrated, in an inclined position through an aperture 35 in the panel and connected thereto by a face-plate 36.

The chute 34 is preferably provided with an opening at one edge 37 of a size adapted to gauge the coins to be used and to cause the return through a shallower chute extension 38 and return slot 38 of coins having a diameter less than the height of said slot 37. When a coin of predetermined diameter is inserted through the slot 33, its lower edge will contact and rest upon a movable shelf 39, which in normal position, extends through a slot 40 in the rear wall of the chute so as normally to obstruct the said chute and to retain the coin of proper diameter beneath the main slot 33 so as to be accessible therethrough to the user until the shelf is moved out of the chute to cause the coin to be dropped through said chute. As illustrated, (see Fig. 2) said shelf is mounted upon a swinging arm 41 pivoted on a pin 42 and is normally held in chute-obstructing position by a coil spring 41.

Said shelf 39 is as shown, moved out of chute obstructing position to drop the coin through the chute on to/the circuit-controlling means by an electro-magnet 43, the armature 44 of which is fastened to the pivoted arm 41 which is provided with said shelf. This electro-magnet (see Fig. 13) is in an open circuit 45 havin spaced terminals 46, 46 which are adapte to be closed by a time-measuring element 47 of a suitable clock mechanism 47. Current to energize said magnet is provided by said" circuit by a attery 48, and a cut-outswitch 49 is provided to prevent energizing of said magnet.

It ill be obvious that the moving of the time-measuring element 47 across the terminals 46, 46 when current is flowing therethrougli will cause the electro-magnet 43 pulling on its armature 44 to move the shelf 39 outwardly to free the chute and let a coin drop ,therethrough and that the throwing of the cut-out switch 49 will prevent dropping of the coin during periods when there is-no radio program inthe air. The coin when dropped is thereupon guided by the chute into the position shown in Fig.- 13 into contact with the arm 29 of the bell-crank 28 which is thereby swung upon its pivot to close the radio circuit. Extending through the chute at the lower end thereof so that one edge of the coin contacts therewith (see Figs. 5 and- 13) is an arm 50 of a bell-crank 51 pivoted at 52 and having its opposite arm 53 forming an armature 54 for electro-magnets 55. The movement of the arm 29 by the coin 30 relatively to the lower end of the arm 50 is such as to still retain the coin suspended between and contacting with the arms 29 and50, the arm 50 being normally held in its coin-retaining position by the coil spring 56. 7

It will be apparent that movement of the arm 50 about the pivot will release the com 30 and permit it to roll down the arm 29 into a suitable receptacle, thus releasing said arm 29 and permitting the weighted switchelement 26 on the opposite arm 27 to move away from the terminals 24 and 25 of the radio circuit to discontinue reception, and also that the electro-magnets 55 when energized will move the arm 50 against the action of the said spring 56 and thus cause the dropping of the coin for said purpose. As illustrated, the said electro-magnets 55 are included in an open circuit 56 having spaced terminals 57 and 58 which are likewise closed by the time-measuring element 47 in its timemeasured travel by the clock-mechanism.

Current is supplied in said circuit 56 by a battery59.

Lamp signals are preferably provided to indicate the starting of the time-cycle of reception and the close thereof and as illustrated, I provide a lamp 60 in the circuit 45 which will operate to give a momentary signal upon the movement of the time-measuring element 47 across the terminals 46 and 46, thus indicating the starting of reception and, furthermore, I provide a lamp 61 in the circuit 56 which is preferably provided with an independent terminal 62fslightly spaced from the terminal 57 so that the time-measurmg element 47 in its movement will first contact with said terminal 62 and give a signal somewhat prior to its contact with the terminal 57, thus giving notice or warning that the time-interval measured by the element 47 is about to expire.

The time-measuring element 47 is, as illustrated, mounted upon a shaft 63 of suitable clock mechanism 47' and it will be evident that the distance between the two sets of terminals 46, 46 and 57 and 58 respectively may be arranged to give any predetermined time-interval depending upon the speed of travel of the time-measuring element 47 Manual means for moving the shaft 63 and 1ts time-measuring element 47 from any position to which it may becarried by the clockmechanism into starting position is provided and as illustrated, movement of the shaft 63 and the time-measuring element 47 is manually controlled by' a knob 64 mounted in the panel.

In order to prevent tampering with the timing element and clock mechanism either by a reverse movement or by preventing normal movement thereof, the shaft 63 of the clock mechanism on which the timing element'is fixed, has its end 63' mounted adjacent to a knob shaft 64 and these shafts are coupled by two sets of ratchet and pawl mechanisms. Thus, the ratchet and pawl mechanism 65, the pawl of which is mounted on a pivot in a stationary, non-rotatable position, is arranged to permit movement of the hub 66 on which the ratchet is mounted and the shafts 63 and 64' in one direction only, a pawl being counterweighted .so ,as to preclude movement in the opposite direction. This ratchet and pawl is illustrated in Fig. 11 and shown in section in Fig. 10. 'It connects the said hub 66, on which its ratchet is mounted, with the knob shaft 64 so as to permit controlling movement of said knob as aforesaid in one direction only and as il- Lustrated in Fig. 1, in counterclockwise direction. This hub 66, however, is independently connected with the end 63 of the clock-mechanism shaft 63 through a pawl and ratchet device 67, the pawl of which is mounted on said hub 66 so that movement of the knob shaft 64' and'hub 66 in said one direction will -be communicated to the shaft 63 but any holding movement of said knob will not stop the independent movement in said counter-clockwise direction of the said shaft 63 by the clock-mechanism, as rotation by the clock-mechanism of this shaft and the ratchet wheel mounted thereon, will cause the pawl on the hub to click over the teeth of the ratchet. In this way, I am enabled to prevent any tampering with the timing element either by a turning back of the shaft on which the time-measuring element is mounted or holding such shaft to increase the time-interval.

The operation of the device will be ap- 5 parent from the above description.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a coin-controlled radio receiver, the combination with a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected therein, of

circuit-controlling means normally causing the circuit to be broken and operable by the weight of a coin to close said circuit, and continuously operating the time measuring mechanism cooperating with said circuitcontrolling means to reopen the circuit at the end of a predetermined time cycle.

2. A coin-controlled radio receiver embodying, in combination, a radio circuit having radio apparatus connected therein and circuit-controlling means normally movable into open position and operable by the weight of a coin to close said circuit, a timemeasuring element, means for holding the coin in circuit-closing position, means operated by the time-measuring element for releasin the coin at the end of a time cycle of de' nite length, and manually-controlled means causing passage of the coin to its circuit-closing position at the beginning of a time cycle.

3. A coin-controlled radioreceiver embodying, in combination, a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected therein, circuit-controlling means normally 5 movable into open position and operable by the weight of a coin to close said circuit, means for guiding a coin into operative relationship with said circuit-controlling means, means for releasing said coin there- 40 from and means including a continuously operating time-measuring device for actuating the releasing means at the end of a definite time cycle.

4. A coin-controlled radio receiver embodying, in'combination a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected therein, circuit-controlling means normally movable into open POSltlOlTtlIld operable by the weight of a coin to close said circuit, a timemeasuring element, means for presenting a coin to the circuit-controlling means whereby to close the circuit, and electro-magnetic means operable by said time-measuring elemen for releasing said coinfrom said circuit-controlling means.

5. A coin-controlled radio receiver embodying, in combination, a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected therein. circuit-controlling means normally movable into open position and operable by the weight of a coin to close said circuit, a coin chute leading to said circuit-controlling means, a time-measuring element, electromagnetic means operable by said time-measuring' element for retaining a coin in said chute and dropping it therethrough into contact with said circuit-controlling means, and additional electro-magnetic means also operable by said timing element for releas ing said coin from contact with said circuitcontrolling means to cause the circuit to be opened.

6. A coin-controlled radio receiver embodying, in combination a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected therein, circuit-controlling means normally movable to open position and operable to close said circuit by a coin, a coin chute leading to said circuit-controlling means, electro-magnetic means having a part extending through said coin chute to retain a coin in accessible position, means for manipulating said electro-magnetic means to release a coin from said accessible position into operative relationship with said circuit-controlling means and means for releasing said coin from such operative relationship.

7. A coin-controlled radio receiver embodying, in combination, a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected therein, circuit-controlling means normally movable into open position and operable by the weight of a coin to close said circuit, a coin chute leading to said circuit-controlling means, electro-magnetic means having a part movable into and out of said coin chute to retain a coin in accessible position and to drop a coin therethrough into operative relationship with said circuit-controlling means, additional electro-magnetic means having a part contacting with said coin to retain it in operative relationship and movable to release said coin from such operative relationship and, means for manipulating the said electro-magnetic means to close and open said circuit respectively.

8. A coin-controlled radio receiver embodying, in combination, a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected there in, circuit-controlling means normally movable into open position and operable by the weight of a coin to close said circuit, a coin chute leading to said circuit-controlling means, electro-magnetic means having a part 'movable into and out of said coin chute to retain a coin in accessible position and to drop a com therethrough 1nto operative relationship with said circuit-controlling means,

additional electro-magnetic means having a part contacting with said coin to retain it in operative relationship and movable to release said coin from such operative relationship, and a time-measuring element for operating both said electro-magnetic means to cause the opening and closing of said circuit at the start and termination of a predetermined time-interval.

9. coin-controlled radio receiver'embodying, 1n combinatlon, a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected therein, circuit-controlling means normally movable into open position and operable by the Weight of a coin to close said circuit, a coin chute leading to said circuit-controlling means, electro-magnetic means having a part movable into and out of said coin chute to retain a coin in accessible position and to drop a coin therethrough into operative relationship with said circuit-controlling means, additional electro-magnetic means having a part contacting with said coin to retain it in operative relationship and movable to release'said coin'from such operative relationship, a time-measuring element for operating both said electro-magnetic means to cause the opening and closing of said circuit at the start and termination of a predetermined time-interval and means for manipulating said time-measuring element to move the same into starting position.

10. A coin-controlled radio receiver embodying, in combination, a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected therein, circuit-controlling means normally movable into open position and operable by the weight of a cointo close said circuit, a coin chute leading to said -circuitcontrolling means, electro-magnetic means having a part movable into and out of said coin chute to retain a coin in accessible position and to drop a coin therethrough into operative relationship with said circuit-controlling means, additional electro-magnetic means having a part contacting with said coin to retain it in operative relationship and movable to release said coin from such operative relationship, a time-measuring element for operating both said electro-magnetic means to cause the opening and closing of said circuit at the start and termination of a predetermined time-interval and a knob for manipula ting said time-measuring element to move the same into starting position.

11. A coin-controlled radio receiver embodying, in combination, a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected therein, circuit-controlling means normally movable into open position and operable by the weight of a coin to close said circuit, a coin chute leading to said circuit-controlling means, electro-magnetic means having a part. movable into and out of said coin chute to retain a coin in accessible position and to drop a coin therethrough into operative relationship with said circuit-controlling means, additional electro-magnetic means having a part contacting with said coin to retain it in operative relationship and movable to release said coin from such operative relationship, a time-measuring element for operating both said electro-magnetic means to cause the opening and closing of said circuit at the start and termination of a predetermined time-interval and a knob for manipulating said time-measuring element to move the same into starting position and coupling devices between said knob and time-measuring element for the prevention of tampering with said time-measuring element.

12. A coin-controlled radio receiver embodying, in combination, a radio circuit having suitable radio apparatus connected therein, circuit-controlllng means normally movable into open position and operable by the vweight of a coin to close said circuit, a coin chute leading to said circuit-controlling means, electro-magnetic means having a part movable into and outof said coin chute to retain a coin in accessible position and to drop a coin therethrough into operative re-' circuit-controlling lationship with said means, additional electro-magnetic means having a part contacting with said coin to retain it inoperative relationship and movable to release said coin from such operative relationship, a time-measuring element for operating both said electro-magnetic means to cause the opening and closing of said circuit at the start and termination of a predetermined time-interval and a knob for manipulating said time-measuring element to move the same into starting position, a timemeasuring element operating both said electro-magnetic means and mounted upon a suitable shaft, an operating knob mounted upon a shaft in abutment with the shaft of said timing element, coupling means for said shaft embodying a pawl and ratchet device arranged to permit movement of said shafts by the knob in one direction onlyand another coupling device arranged to permit independent movement of said timing element shaft in said direction.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

RICHARD SAUSE. 

